The Kentucky Wildcats have adjusted two future non‑conference football games, moving both matchups against FCS opponents to season‑opening dates, FBSchedules.com has learned.
Kentucky had originally been slated to host the Murray State Racers on September 18, 2027 (Week 3), a game we first reported in 2019. According to an amendment to the contract obtained from the University of Kentucky via a state open records request, the contest has been shifted to the season opener and will now be played on August 28, 2027, at Kroger Field in Lexington.
Kentucky and Murray State have met three times, beginning in 2003, with the Wildcats winning each matchup. Their most recent meeting came in 2024, a 48–6 Kentucky victory.
A second future Kentucky game against an FCS opponent — Eastern Illinois — has also been moved to the season opener, per another amendment obtained by FBSchedules.com. Previously scheduled for Week 5 on September 30, 2028, the Wildcats will now host EIU on August 26, 2028, in Lexington.
Kentucky and Eastern Illinois have never met on the gridiron.
The date changes for both contests stem from the NCAA’s June vote to implement a uniform 14‑week regular season beginning in fall 2027. Under the updated model, FBS programs will be allowed to start most seasons in what is commonly referred to as Week Zero—the weekend before Labor Day—and finish the schedule the week after Thanksgiving.
Kentucky is scheduled to open the 2026 season at home on Saturday, September 5 against FCS Youngstown State. The game will be streamed live via SEC Network+ at 1:00pm ET.
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Kentucky needs to play more P4 opponents other than Louisville. They haven’t played a P4 opponent in the regular season other than Louisville or Indiana since 1990 when they played North Carolina of the ACC. Their last Big 12 opponent was Kansas State in 1983 (when the Big 12 was still the Big 8), their only ever game against the Pac-12 (no longer a power conference) was Oregon State in 1976 (when the Pac-12 was still the Pac-8), their last game against an SWC (now defunct) team was Baylor in 1978, and their last non-Indiana opponent from the Big Ten was Ohio State all the way back in 1935.
Kentucky playing football games against other “basketball schools” like Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, and North Carolina would be very lucrative.
I am sorry Z-Man North Carolina, Michigan State, Kansas & Duke are better for Basketball than Football & speaking of Football Louisville is excellent with Kentucky.
I completely agree.
It’s the same issue Georgia, Florida and South Carolina face.
For Florida it’s worse because people expect them to play Florida State AND Miami.
Georgia does a decent job of scheduling beyond Tech. But I think Kentucky could do it, if they wanted to.
SEC! SEC! SEC! I enjoy Football however Basketball have more enthusiasm with Kentucky.
Z-Man P4 vs P4 OOC games are built for neutral site games.
Conference & cupcakes belongs at campus stadiums.
Kentucky is excellent with Louisville & they do not need additional P4 opponents.
Disagree, P4 OOC games are not built for neutral sites.
To Kevin Kelly: Main reason why I want P4 vs P4 OOC games at neutral sites so they can have a fair advantage with both fan bases for example Michigan vs Alabama in Orchard Park, NY at New Highmark Stadium.